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Using the DNA origami technique, we constructed a DNA nanodevice functionalized with small interfering RNA (siRNA) within its inner cavity and the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX), intercalated in the DNA duplexes. The incorporation of disulfide bonds allows the triggered mechanical opening and release of siRNA in response to intracellular glutathione (GSH) in tumors to knockdown genes key to cancer progression. Combining RNA interference and chemotherapy, the nanodevice induced potent cytotoxicity and tumor growth inhibition, without observable systematic toxicity. Given its autonomous behavior, exceptional designability, potent antitumor activity and marked biocompatibility, this DNA nanodevice represents a promising strategy for precise drug design for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle in the clinical treatment of cancer. Herein, a facile strategy is reported to construct a versatile DNA nanostructure as a co‐delivery vector of RNA interference (RNAi) and chemodrugs to combat multidrug‐resistant tumor (MCF‐7R) in vitro and in vivo. In the tailored nanocarrier, two linear small hairpin RNA (shRNA) transcription templates targeting MDR‐associated genes (gene of P‐glycoprotein, a typical drug efflux pump; and gene of survivin, a representative anti‐apoptotic protein) are precisely organized in the chemodrug (doxorubicin, DOX) pre‐loaded DNA origami. With the incorporation of active targeting and controlled‐release elements, these multifunctional DNA nanocarriers can successfully enter the target MCF‐7R cells and synergistically inhibit tumor growth without apparent systemic toxicity. This tailored DNA nanoplatform, which combines RNAi therapy and chemotherapy, provides a new strategy for the treatment of multidrug‐resistant tumors. A DNA nanoplatform‐based co‐delivery system containing two linear shRNA transcription templates against tumor‐associated genes (Pgp and survive) and a chemotherapeutic drug (doxorubicin, DOX) was constructed for synergistic therapy of multidrug resistant (MDR) tumors in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA has been demonstrated to be a promising engineering material for the fabrication of pre-designed nanostructures and nanodevices, which feature structural programmability, spatial addressability, dynamic mechanics, and biocompatibility. Here, we review the recent progress in the design, construction and biomedical applications of DNA nanostructures, particularly imaging probes and drug delivery carriers. We discuss several key points for in vivo biomedical applications of DNA-based delivery systems, such as the cost and safety issues. In the end, we explore the challenges and opportunities of DNA nanotechnology in the field of nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials employed for enhanced drug delivery and therapeutic effects have been extensively investigated in the past decade. The outcome of current anticancer treatments based on conventional nanoparticles is suboptimal, due to the lack of biocompatibility, the deficient tumor targeting, the limited drug accumulation in the diseased region, etc. Alternatively, DNA-based nanocarriers have emerged as a novel and versatile platform to integrate the advantages of nanotechnologies and biological sciences, which shows great promise in addressing the key issues for biomedical studies. Rather than a genetic information carrier, DNA molecules can work as building blocks to fabricate programmable and bio-functional nanostructures based on Watson Crick base-pairing rules. The DNA-based materials have demonstrated unique properties, such as uniform sizes and shapes, pre-designable and programmable nanostructures, site-specific surface functionality and excellent biocompatibility. These intrigue features allow DNA nanostructures to carry functional moieties to realize precise tumor recognition, customized therapeutic functions and stimuli-responsive drug release, making them highly attractive in many aspects of cancer treatment. In this review, we focus on the recent progress in DNA-based self-assembled materials for the biomedical applications, such as molecular imaging, drug delivery for in vitro or in vivo cancer treatments. We introduce the general strategies and essential requirements for fabricating DNA-based nanocarriers. We summarize the advances of DNA-based nanocarriers according to their functionalities and structural properties for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives regarding the detailed in vivo parameters of DNA materials and the design of intelligent DNA nanomedicine for individualized cancer therapy. Over the past decade, DNA nanocarriers have emerged as a novel and versatile platform to integrate the advantages of nanotechnologies and biological sciences. Based on Watson Crick base-pairing rules, DNA molecules can work as building blocks to fabricate programmable and bio-functional nanostructures. As a promising candidate for nanocarrier, self-assembled DNA architecture holds distinct advantages, e.g., inherent biocompatibility, precisely designed nanoscale shapes and sizes, tailored functionality, and responsive reconfiguration. These intrigue features allow DNA nanostructures to carry functional moieties to realize precise tumor recognition, customized therapeutic functions and stimuli-responsive drug release, making them highly attractive in many aspects of cancer treatment. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]